Dubai: An Arabian Adventure

Dubai Arrival

Fly from the UK direct to Dubai International Airport. On arrival you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel. Stay at the five-star Sheraton Grand Hotel*. Situated just a 10-minute stroll away from World Trade Centre and offering picturesque views of Dubai skyline, this modern and stylish hotel features a rooftop pool and a relaxing spa. Enjoy the evening at leisure to relax at the hotel and dine in one of the city’s finest restaurants.

Dubai City Tour and Dhow Cruise

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Dubai. Visit the Dubai Marina, a relatively new attraction in Dubai, it’s characterized by a dramatic skyline of skyscrapers and residential apartment blocks. Visit Palm Jumeirah, a series of artificial archipelagos in the emerald waters of the Arabian Gulf. The spectacular man-made island is a feat of engineering genius. Impossible to miss, the world-renowned Burj Khalifa tower is the tallest artificial structure in the world at 829.8m. Travel to the 124^th floor for a spectacular view. Continue to Jumeirah beach where you’ll find the iconic Burj Al Arab, a striking sail-shaped building. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum), Ruler’s Court, Old Mosque, Textile Street, Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, Heritage Village and finally the Spice and Gold Souks. Located in the heart of Dubai’s commercial business district, the souks offer hundreds of shops aligned in narrow laneways, trading almost exclusively jewellery, spices and fragrances. Later, enjoy an unforgettable evening on a Dhow cruise. A ‘Dhow’ is a traditional Arabic vessel that has been used in the region in recent history as a fishing, transportation and pearl diving based vessel. In recent times, many Dhows have been refurbished into ‘floating restaurants’. Combining tradition and opulence, you will enjoy a sumptuous feast of Arabic and international cuisine as well as live entertainment while you glide past the illuminated buildings of Dubai.

Desert Safari

Today you will have the morning at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the local area. The hotel has 7 rooms available should you wish to arrange a group meeting. In the afternoon, you will go on a desert safari in a 4×4. See the breath taking and spectacular desert sunset, and then experience a warm Arabian welcome with Arabic coffee on arrival at the desert camp. At the camp take part in various activities such as camel riding and henna painting before a BBQ buffet dinner. The evening entertainment begins with a Tanoura dance show followed by a belly-dancing performance.

Day at leisure

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have the day at leisure to enjoy some of the amazing activities that Dubai has to offer.

Enjoy a bike tour and explore old Dubai with all its bustling markets, narrow alleys and ancient ports. Get a glimpse of that rich history in the heritage areas where the old buildings have been beautifully renovated.

If you would prefer to see the city on foot, then explore the authentic face of Dubai by visiting the Fish & Vegetable market, Coffee Museum, Art gallery and abra ride. Begin your stroll after a quick abra ride and then walk along the Shindagha waterfront, where elegant wind-tower residences now house centers for Islamic studies and architectural heritage. Stroll along the waterfront to see the barasti huts, old coffeehouse, handicraft souq, and pearl-diving displays at the fishing village that once stood here.

The more adventurous may wish to  enjoy the beautiful deserts of the UAE along with the adrenaline rush of driving a fully modified 4 X 4 Jeep Wrangler through the dunes.

For a more relaxing day, take a trip to Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall with around 1200 stores, a giant ice rink, an aquarium, a dinosaur skeleton, indoor theme parks and 150 food outlets. It’s ideal for a spot of shopping (or even skiing, skating or swimming!)

Dubai Departure

After breakfast at the hotel you will have morning at leisure. You will be transferred to Dubai International Airport for your return flight to Manchester.